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Jacob Wittman
Projects
Evaluating anisotropy in the spread of emerald ash borer
University of Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN
Current - 2019
- Modeled the spread of emerald ash boerer across North America using generalized additive models and simultaneous autoregressive models.
- Model predictions will be used by managers in North America to assess when emerald ash borer will spread to their communities and plan management tactics accordingly.
Estimating the range of attraction of a sex-pheromone used in traps to detect emerald ash borer
University of Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN
2021 - 2018
- Applied a novel trapping arrangement in conjunction with a non-linear Bayesian regression to elucidate the range of attraction of a sex-pheromone used to trap emerald ash borer.
- Demonstrated that the sex-pheromone is attractive at a range of 90 feet.
- Communicated results to managers internationally to develop efficient early-detection trap networks.
Forecasting overwintering mortality of a biological control agent in North America
University of Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN
2020 - 2018
- Assessed the cold tolerance of a parasitic wasp used to control populations of emerald ash borer via laboratory and field experiments.
- Forecast overwintering survival of this parasitic wasp across the USA and Canada using generalized estimating equations.
Determining the efficacy of regulatory requirements on limiting the spread of Lymantria dispar
University of Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN
2018 - 2016
- Evaluated the efficacy of regulatory requirements in lumber yards designed to reduce the spread of the invasive moth Lymantria dispar through careful experimentation.
- Demonstrated that current regulatory requirements were likely sufficient to reduce inadvertent movement of this insect.
- Supported decisions with results from generalized linear regressions and Monte Carlo simulations.
Education
Made with the R packages pagedown and datadrivencv.
Last updated on 2021-11-30.
PhD., Entomology (graduate minor Biostatistics)
University of Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN
Current - 2018
M.S., Entomology
University of Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN
2018 - 2016
B.S., Biology, Environmental Studies (minor Secondary Education)
Luther College
Decorah, IA
2012 - 2008
Publications
These are a selection of first-authored publications. For a complete list of publications, presentations, and posters please visit my full CV at my website.
Forecasting overwintering mortality of Spathius galinae in North America
Biological Control 160: 104694
N/A
2021
J. Wittman, B. Aukema, J. Duan, and R. Venette
Optimizing early detection strategies: defining the effective attraction radius of attractants for emerald ash borer Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire
Agricultural and Forest Entomology 23(4): 527 – 535.
N/A
2021
J. Wittman, P. Silk, K. Parker, and B. Aukema
A guide and toolbox to replicability and open science in entomology.
Journal of Insect Science 20(3): 1 – 9.
N/A
2020
J. Wittman and B. Aukema
Foliage type and deprivation alters the movement behavior of late instar European gypsy moth Lymantria dispar (Lepidoptera: Erebidae)
Journal of Insect Behavior 32(1): 25 – 37.
N/A
2019
J. Wittman and B. Aukema
Characterizing and simulating the movement of late-instar gypsy moth (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) to evaluate the effectiveness of regulatory practices
Environmental Entomology 48(3): 496 - 606.
N/A
2019
J. Wittman, R. Nicoll, S. Myers, P. Chaloux, and B. Aukema
Selected Teaching Experience
Being a teacher made me a better communicator. I learned effective strategies for delivering technical material to non-technical audiences. Working with diverse groups of students over my teaching career helped me understand the importance of empathy to build constructive learning communities.
Private R and Statistics Tutor
Online
Wyzant Tutoring
Current - 2019
Spatial and Temporal Analyses (ENT 5126)
University of Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN
2020
Insect Biology (ENT 1005)
University of Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN
2018
Science Teacher (7 - 12 grade)
DREAM Technical Academy
Willmar, MN
2016 - 2014